Elements of Genealogical Analysis

by Robert Charles Anderson

Analyze records and make sound genealogical conclusions using the same method applied by Robert Charles Anderson for the Great Migration Study Project!

This handbook presents a step-by-step process for solving genealogical problems, a methodology thirty years in the making. Developed by Anderson and perfected through his work on the Great Migration Study Project, this systematic approach considers each source, each record, and each possible linkage before making a genealogical conclusion. Clearly defined tools, checklists, and logically ordered steps throughout the book help make this method both accessible and effective.

Genres: Nonfiction

169 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Robert Charles Anderson, Director of the Great Migration Study Project, was educated as a biochemist and served in the United States Army in electronics intelligence. In 1972 he discovered his early New England ancestry and thereafter devoted his time and energies to genealogical research. He published his first genealogical article in 1976, and about the same time began to plan for what eventually became the Great Migration Study Project. In 1983 he received a Master’s degree in colonial American History from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Anderson was elected a Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists in 1978 and has served as Secretary and President of that organization. He became a Contributing Editor of The American Genealogist in 1979, Associate Editor in 1985 and Coeditor in 1993. He has been an editorial consultant to the New England Historical and Genealogical Register since 1989.

Reviews

[Mhd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! With a strong emphasis on analytical!

I'm not quite "finished" yet, but it's not really the kind of book you ever really "finish." When it arrived in the mail, my first thought was that it was a small, short book and I was saddened because I had been anticipating this book for over a year. But, now that I'm into it, it's just fine. The content is rigorous and without any padding at all. Examples are predominantly from the Great Migration era (well, of course they are…this is Robert Charles Anderson!) and, best of all, they are thorough. I love this book!

Anderson's goal is clearly to improve all researchers' methodology and their awareness of their methodology (kind of 'meta-methodology'). First page of "overview:" "You must be rigorous and methodical in your research."

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I should have come to this earlier, as I muddled through some of these principles when I began my family history project. This is a very good place to begin when organizing for research, though you should really like textbooks because it can get a bit heady at times... Most valuable were the case studies which illustrated the author's points and process very nicely. I would have liked another appendix or index that included a list of the other specific resources listed throughout the book, especially those regarding data collection.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

What could have been a slightly dry sort of book was redeemed by a series of interesting case histories that illustrated the author's rather abstruse theory of research.

[Kathy KS · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for books on methodology in genealogical research (family history). This one caught my eye because of "analysis" in the title and familiarity with the author's reputation. I did learn a few things here that might help me in the future. So far, I haven't done much New England research. This title uses example mostly from the New England region, which seems to have many more sources compared to more recently settled areas of the U.S. But I still like to learn more about researching there because I do have a couple of lines that may just go there.

The first part of the book was dry, in my opinion. Since I love case studies, things picked up as the book progressed because Anderson begins to present examples to illustrate the analytical thought and practice he is sharing. Some of these cases continue throughout the work as new concepts are discussed. So, I did enjoy following along for most of the book. Several appendices are included, notes with bibliographical information that were cited are complete and potentially useful. Several indices are also included: a general index, a name index (to the case studies), and a geographic index. This last might be particularly helpful in learning some sources available in various localities.

Recommended to those wishing to keep fine-tuning their research skills. I do not recommend for beginning researchers and believe there are several very good introductory texts written in more accessible language for those just dipping their toes in to the depths of family history research.

[Dio Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really useful to have on hand when researching - definitely will revisit it! Has loads of interesting case studies and examples, and presents information clearly. Very easy to follow, and it’s not a huge undertaking to read through it.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent reference book for genealogists of all levels. Highly recommended.

[mbm · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the most basic level in genealogy, you need to find evidence for each person on your family tree. Then you need to use that evidence to place that person in the correct family. Basically proving identity and kinship.

Once you find documents then you need to analyze all the known information. Do you have the right person, was there more than one person in the area with the name? What proof do you have that this person was born, married or died on this date and place? How can you link this person to the correct spouse(s), parents, siblings and children? What is your hypothesis and how confident are you that it is true?

This is exactly what Robert Charles Anderson did with his Great Migration Research. In this book, "Elements of Genealogical Analysis", he explains his process, gives examples of finding evidence for origin, birth place, parents, military service and and spouse etc for everyone in the Great Migration Study Project. There is excellent instruction on how to evaluate the documents you find and then how use that analysis to link people together (or not).

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is for the advanced student of genealogy, or also the one who would like to conduct their genealogical research in a professional, factual manner. Very good.